The Office of the
Ombudsman
The mandate of the Joburg Ombudsman is to promote good governance and accountability by addressing maladministration and service delivery challenges, and by protecting the rights of residents. Through independent oversight, the Office holds the City of Johannesburg, its departments and its entities accountable, thereby strengthening public confidence and supporting effective service delivery.
Our Mandate
Investigate
Complaints
Investigate complaints where Johannesburg residents’ rights may have been violated by the municipal administration and help ensure an appropriate resolution.
Raise
Awareness
Raise awareness among Johannesburg residents about their basic human rights to efficient and equitable municipal services, ensuring they remain informed.
Ensure
Adherence
Ensure that the City adheres to procedural fairness and administrative justice, in line with the Ombudsman By-Law 2023, by promoting impartiality.
Provide
Reporting
Provide recommendations to the City to strengthen the promotion and protection of residents’ human rights, in alignment with applicable policies and by-laws.
Our Values
Functions and Powers
The Ombudsman may, at his or her own instance, and must, on receipt of a complaint in terms of section 8 of the Ombudsman By-Law 2023, investigate any alleged act or omission or any attempt by an employee serving in the municipality or municipal entity which constitutes-
Breach of the Code of Conduct
(a)Â any contravention of item 2, 4(1)(a) or (b); 5, 6(1), 7, 8, 9 or 12 of the Code of Conduct for Municipal Staff Members contained in Schedule 2 to the Municipal Systems Act;
This includes violations of the ethical and professional standards set out in the Code of Conduct for municipal staff members.
Failure to comply with legal obligations
(b)Â any failure to comply with the provisions of section 5(1)(b), (c), (f) or (g) of the Municipal Systems Act;
Maladministration
(c)Â any maladministration in the affairs of the municipality to the prejudice of a member of public;
This includes poor administration or improper practices that unfairly disadvantages members of the public.
Abuse or improper use of power
(d)Â any abuse or unjustifiable exercise of power, whether such power is held under a delegation or in terms of any law;
Unfair or discourteous conduct
(e)Â any unfair, capricious or discourteous conduct;Â
This includes arbitrary decisions, unreasonable behaviour or disrespectful treatment of the public.
Improper conduct causing prejudice
(f)Â any improper conduct in the affairs of the municipality which directly or indirectly prejudices a member of the public;
Other acts or omissions resulting in prejudice
(g) any other act or omission by an employee performing a public function which results in the unlawful or improper prejudice to a member of the public.
Leadership Team
Adv. Siduduzo Gumede
Ombudsman
Adv. Colman Ramontja
Acting Executive Manager: Complaints and Investigations
Adv. Xolani Gila
Acting Executive Manager: Intake and Registry
Ms. Corrine Lekhoane
Acting Executive Manager: Communications and Media
Ms. Nombulelo Nikiwe
Executive Manager: Management Support
Ms. Manoshi Nevhungani
Acting Executive Manager: Finance
Vacant
Executive Manager: Legal Services
